I agree that Post Captain is a step forward from Master and Commander, but for me it is H. M. S. Surprise that elevates the books to true greatness. Which is not to say that the first two aren't wonderful reads. And, I really should reread Post Captain!
Aah — I see. I had not noticed the date! Your treatment of H. M. S. Surprise is wonderful. The whole series is beautiful, but H. M. S. Surprise remains my favorite.
The Bombay section of H.M.S. Surprise is an absolute highlight of the series, and it's where Stephen really becomes, in all dimensions, the Stephen Maturin I love, which in turn makes it the novel in which the series becomes truly itself for the first time. Looking back, however, I find I'm most interested in how the first two books rough out, sometimes clumsily, what in the later novels becomes formula. A delightful formula, but formula nonetheless.
This time through as I read Post Captain, I was particularly looking for how O'Brian resolved their duel. I finally came to the same conclusion you offer here; that it's the battle of Chaulieu that heals the breach. My literal mind still wanted Aubrey to apologize, but I like your thoughts on O'Brian's use of the power of omission, of not explaining every little thing.
I agree that Post Captain is a step forward from Master and Commander, but for me it is H. M. S. Surprise that elevates the books to true greatness. Which is not to say that the first two aren't wonderful reads. And, I really should reread Post Captain!
Well, I wrote about that one, too! I wrote an essay for every novel in the series.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joshuacorey/p/hms-surprise?r=7w0p&utm_medium=ios
Aah — I see. I had not noticed the date! Your treatment of H. M. S. Surprise is wonderful. The whole series is beautiful, but H. M. S. Surprise remains my favorite.
The Bombay section of H.M.S. Surprise is an absolute highlight of the series, and it's where Stephen really becomes, in all dimensions, the Stephen Maturin I love, which in turn makes it the novel in which the series becomes truly itself for the first time. Looking back, however, I find I'm most interested in how the first two books rough out, sometimes clumsily, what in the later novels becomes formula. A delightful formula, but formula nonetheless.
This time through as I read Post Captain, I was particularly looking for how O'Brian resolved their duel. I finally came to the same conclusion you offer here; that it's the battle of Chaulieu that heals the breach. My literal mind still wanted Aubrey to apologize, but I like your thoughts on O'Brian's use of the power of omission, of not explaining every little thing.